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5 Healing Detox Bath Recipes

A hot shower used to be my definition of ‘me time.’ Then I wised up and realized that soaking in a long hot bath would exponentially increase my self-care time allotment. Soaking eases tension, not only in your muscles but also internally as your mind has a chance to slow down and be quiet for a bit. I find the best time for a leisurely bath is after the kids go to bed; I can relax without rushing and afterwards sleep like a baby.

A detox bath can do more than just relieve stress; it can also soothe sore muscles, help stop colds and infections and open congested sinuses. As your pores open and blood is drawn to the skin, detox ingredients like Epsom salt and apple cider vinegar can draw out toxins and deliver minerals like magnesium. And as we enter cold and flu season, here are 5 soothing, detoxing baths to draw:

5 Ways To Take a Detox Bath

1. Epsom Salt + Coconut Oil

The easiest no-fail detox bath? Dump in a bunch of Epsom salt and soak for 60 minutes. Epsom salt delivers a dose of magnesium that has a number of benefits, including eliminating toxins, stimulating blood flow and soothing sore muscles. That was my go-to bath until I read how a few celebs (Phoebe Tonkin, Liv Tyler) added a few extras to their bath regimen. Now when my skin is dry (which is pretty much all the time) I add a big scoop of coconut oil with about two cups Epsom salt. It’s like using a moisturizing body wash – the oil coats and hydrates your skin. This nicely counters the drying effect of soaking in hot water. You can apply more oil when you get out and go to bed all warm and oily. :)

2. Mustard + Baking Soda

Combine 1/4 cup mustard bath (I use Dr. Singha’s) with one cup of baking soda to balance your skin’s pH and draw out toxins. This bath is an anti-inflammatory treat for sore muscles or achy joints. While baking soda soothes dry, itchy skin the mustard bath creates a warming ‘icy hot’ effect with cooling essential oils like eucalyptus and thyme that help relax tight muscles and promote internal healing.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar plus 1/2 cup Epsom salt and about 5 drops of lavender essential oil to help relieve skin or vaginal infections. The ACV draws out toxins and cleans out pores – even in sensitive regions. If the ACV smells ruins the sensory experience add the anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties of lavender oil to counteract the vinegar smell.

4. Hydroden Peroxide + Ginger

A great bath to try at the first sign of a cold. Add a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger to bring on a good ‘sweat’ to help cleanse the body and draw out toxins. If you’re already feeling puny and congested, let a hot baths can speed healing as the steam works to open sinuses.

5. Sea Salt + Eucalyptus

For a weekly purifying bath combine 1 cup sea salt, 1 cup Epsom salt, 2 cups baking soda and 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil in hot water and soak for as long as you can. The salts and baking soda draw out impurities and excess water while delivering a dose of natural minerals. The essential oil is great for congestion as well as being stimulating and rejuvenating.

My favorite recipe for a detox bath is epsom salts, sea salt, baking soda, and powdered ginger. I usually add a splash of ACV to the bath. Stay in until the water starts to cool. The ginger gets you sweating, even after you get out. It’s the best right before bed when you’re coming down with a cold and need to sweat it out.

Just reading about these comforting baths makes me realize how much I miss a hot soak! Baths are a thing of the past for me, the tub where I live is incredibly small (at 5’7″, can barely straighten my legs when sitting up), and the end where I’d lay back has no slant, very straight and miserably uncomfortable :(. Options? Ask a friend to “borrow” their tub, or rent a room at the local no-tell motel..lol. Poor me!

Thanks for all your hard work and sharing these helpful tips…I’m a fan! I’ve been transitioning to a healthier and less processed lifestyle for the last couple of years and am having great fun learning the simple tricks to a better life. I’ve lost 53 lbs and gained a ton of knowledge…most all from wonderful people like you…thanks again! :)

Side note: anytime I add oil to my bath, it coats the tub and makes it so slick, that the next person to get in to take a shower almost slips and falls! So, that said, I always have to clean out the tub. Totally worth it, though.